Page 5: Jesus Christ once said: "You always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to you can always do them good." (Mark 14:7) Did Jesus mean that poverty and oppression would never end?
Note: The Watch Tower took a verse out of context that was directing attention to Jesus.
Mark 14:6-7 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always."
Page 5: Jehovah God created the earth to be a paradise, not a place plagued with poverty, injustice, and oppression.
Note: Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Page 5: And very soon, Jehovah will end poverty and oppression - in fact, all suffering.
Note: Jesus Christ will end poverty, suffering, and oppression.
Psalm 72:1-4 Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king's Son. He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice. The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor.
Page 6: Jesus Christ had this lasting and benevolent heavenly government in mind when he taught his disciples to petition God in prayer: "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." - Matthew 6:9, 10.
Note: God will judge the earth while on the earth.
Psalm 50:3-5 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people: "Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."
Page 6: In a vision involving our day, the apostle John beheld "a new heaven and a new earth," a completely new system of things established by God.
Correction: The new creation will be after the thousand year reign of Jesus upon the earth.
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Page 7: While the present system of things remains, therefore, do not let yourself be overwhelmed by the trials you may have to face. Throw all your anxiety upon Jehovah, for he really does care. - 1 Peter 5:7.
Note: True Christians look to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Page 8: Yes, Jehovah's very name and person are a guarantee that he will not renege on his promises, even though they may cost him dearly. (Romans 8:32)
Note: True Christians will receive the fulfillment of promises in the name of Jesus.
Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
Page 8: Our hope, our faith, and our very life all depend on the fulfillment of Jehovah's promises. What hope do we cherish?
Note: True Christians place their hope in Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Page 8: But the promises of Jehovah in his Word are not limited to the future. They give meaning to our everyday lives right now.
Note: Jesus Christ gives abundant life today.
John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Page 8: The psalmist sang: "Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him, ... and their cry for help he will hear." (Psalm 145:18, 19)
Note: Jesus is always with true Christians.
Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Pages 8-9: God also assures us that "he is giving to the tired one power; and to the one without dynamic energy he makes full might abound." (Isaiah 40:29)
Note: Witnesses of Jesus receive this power from the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Page 9: Our dedication to God is undoubtedly the most important promise we can make. By taking this step, we demonstrate that we want to serve Jehovah forever.
Note: True Christians serve Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Page 9: While God's commandments are not burdensome, it may not always be easy to do his will, living as we do in this wicked system of things. (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 John 5:3)
Note: Are you suffering for Jesus Christ?
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Page 9: Sincere promises stem from the heart as well as the mind. Therefore, let us back up our promises to Jehovah by opening our hearts to him in prayer, honestly expressing our fears, desires, and weaknesses.
Note: True Christians pray in the name of Jesus.
John 14:13-14 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Page 9: We could look on our promises to God as debts. When debts are large, payments has to be made gradually. Likewise, many promises we make to Jehovah will take time to fulfill.
Correction: Having the promises of God, true Christians do not make promises or oaths.
Matthew 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
2 Corthinans 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Pages 10-11: During their 1998 service year, Jehovah's Witnesses spent over a billion hours publicly declaring the good news of God's Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14)
Correction: The good news is about Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the good news which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
Note: The Watch Tower has placed the Jehovah's Witnesses under a curse.
Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other good news to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other good news to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Page 11: In our ministry, we have opportunities to keep our word when we return to visit those who express interest in the Kingdom message.
Correction: True Christians will tell people about Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Page 11: If we say that we will call back, we should do so. Returning as we have promised is a way 'not to hold back good from those to whom it is owing.' (Proverbs 3:27)
Note: People who are habitual liars will not be in the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Page 12: JEHOVAH GOD is the Grand Instructor of his people. He educates them not only about himself but also about life. (Isaiah 30:20; 54:13; Psalm 27:11)
Note: Specifically, the Holy Spirit is the Grand Instructor of true Christians.
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
Page 12: Wisdom involves seeing things as they are and using that knowledge to solve problems, attain goals, avoid or avert dangers, or help others to do so.
Note: True Christians gain godly wisdom from Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;
Page 13: Understanding is the ability to see into a matter and discern its composition by grasping the connections between its parts and the whole, thus getting the sense of it.
Note: True Christians gain godly understanding from Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Note: Are starting to get the sense of it?
Page 14: Life is from Jehovah God, and life is, of course, essential for our having any knowledge. (Psalm 36:9; Acts 17:25, 28) Furthermore, God created all things; so all human knowledge is based on a study of his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1, 2; Revelation 4:11)
Note: Life is from Jesus Christ who created all things.
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Page 14: Thus, the focal point of all true knowledge is Jehovah, and a person seeking it must have a reverential fear of him.
Note: True Christians know the focal point of all true knowledge is Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Page 16: What really was Naaman's problem? It was not that the requirement was so difficult to meet. Naaman's servants tactfully said: "Had it been a great thing that the prophet himself had spoken to you, would you not do it? How much more, then, since he said to you, 'Bathe and be clean'?" (2 Kings 5:13) The problem was Naaman's attitude.
Correction: The problem was with Naaman's faith.
Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.
Luke 17:19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."
Page 17: Throughout human history, Jehovah has asked people to comply with various regulations.
Correction: God has simply wanted people to trust Him through faith.
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Page 17: Later, Jehovah asked Noah to construct an ark as a means of preservation through a global flood. In view of the ark's huge size, the job was not easy and was probably carried out in the face of much ridicule and hostility. Yet, what a privilege it was for Noah to be able to save his household, not to speak of the many animals!
Correction: By faith Noah trusted God.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Page 18: Some may think that Jehovah God was asking too much of Abraham. But was he? Is it really unloving for our Creator, who can resurrect the dead, to ask us to be obedient to him even if this should result in our sleeping temporarily in death? Jesus Christ and his early followers did not think so.
Correction: By faith Abraham trusted God.
Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
Page 19: Jesus Christ denounced religious leaders who imposed a mass of rules, saying: "They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger." (Matthew 23:2, 4)
Note: When was the last time that a governing body member went door to door?
Page 19: Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah said: "I have had enough of whole burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals; and in the blood of young bulls and male lambs and he-goats I have taken no delight." (Isaiah 1:10, 11) Why was God displeased with offerings that he himself had called for in the Law? (Leviticus 1:1-4:35) Because the people treated him disrespectfully.
Correction: God is displeased with hypocrisy.
Matthew 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."
Page 21: So, then, what did Jehovah particularly require of those who lived under the Law? Of course, they were to love Jehovah God. Furthermore, the apostle Paul said: "The entire Law stands fulfilled in one saying, namely: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Note: The apostle Paul also said for Christians to be in love with Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Note: True Christians are loved by the Father since they love the Son.
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Page 21: His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to magnify God's love - to let people know how precious they are to Jehovah.
Correction: Jesus Christ came to save mankind.
Luke 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Page 22: While on earth, Jesus loyally represented his Father. He explained: "Just as the Father taught me I speak these things." In fact, Jesus imitated Jehovah so exactly that he could say: "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." - John 8:28; 14:9.
Correction: Jesus Christ was representing both the Father and the Son.
John 8:17-18 "It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
Page 22: When we conform our lives to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ and heed the counsel of inspired first-century Bible writers, we are obeying "the law of the Christ." Jehovah asks this of his servants today.
Note: The Father wants everyone to place their faith and trust in the Son.
John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Page 24: Even though Jesus had been a mighty spirit creature in heaven, he seized the opportunity to serve his Father's interests on earth and to show how we should live. He was humble, kind, and considerate, helping those burdened down and oppressed.
Correction: Jesus Christ was not a creature that created itself.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Page 24: What place does love for Jehovah - the Law's greatest commandment - have in the law of Christ? (Matthew 22:37, 38; Galatians 6:2) Second place? By no means! Love for Jehovah and love for our fellow Christians are inextricably linked.
Correction: True Christian love is directly linked to Jesus Christ.
John 16:26-27 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God."
Page 24: According to Tertullian, who lived more than a hundred years after Jesus' death, the brotherly love of early Christians had that very effect.
Note: Tertullian was a Trinitarian.
The Apology, Chapter 21. We have been taught that He proceeds forth from God, and in that procession He is generated; so that He is the Son of God, and is called God from unity of substance with God. For God, too, is a Spirit. Even when the ray is shot from the sun, it is still part of the parent mass; the sun will still be in the ray, because it is a ray of the sun - there is no division of substance, but merely an extension. Thus Christ is Spirit of Spirit, and God of God, as light of light is kindled.
Page 25: Even Jesus once found an aspect of God's will difficult to accept because of all that was involved. "Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me," Jesus prayed. But he quickly added: "Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place." (Luke 22:42) Despite all that Jesus suffered, he did God's will. (Hebrew 5:7, 8)
Note: Jesus Christ was both man and God. Are you obeying Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 5:9-11 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Page 25: Obedience is a proof of our love and shows that we recognize God's way to be best. "This is what the love of God means," says the Bible, "that we observe his commandments." (1 John 5:3) And Jesus told his apostles: "If you love me, you will observe my commandments."
Note: Obedience is sincere belief.
Hebrews 3:18-19 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Page 25: He commanded that they do the preaching work for which he had trained them. Peter said: "He ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness." (Acts 10:42)
Note: Peter was preaching Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:36-38 "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ; He is Lord of all; that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."
Page 25: Jesus had specifically commanded: "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8)
Note: Did anyone notice the Trinity? The name is singular not plural.
Note: Are you a Jesus Witness?
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Page 26: But when we suffer for doing what Jehovah asks of us, we should remember that he is not responsible for our trials. (John 15:18-20; James 1:13-15)
Note: Are you suffering for the name of Jesus?
John 15:21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."
Page 26: Through his Son, Jehovah has directed that in this time of the end, His servants make an earth-wide proclamation that the only remedy for all human suffering is Kingdom rule.
Correction: True Christians proclaim Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
Page 26: Jesus provided Jehovah with an answer to Satan's taunting by leaving the security of heavenly life to do his Father's will on earth. (Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 10:7)
Correction: The plan of God was established before the earth was created.
Hebrews 4:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,'" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Page 26: This government of God will eliminate all problems on earth - war, crime, poverty, old age, sickness, death.
Correction: Jesus Christ will eliminate all problems on earth.
Matthew 19:28-29 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."
Page 26: As a human, Jesus endured every trial thrust upon him, even death on a torture stake.
Correction: There was one nail for each hand, thus death on the cross.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
Note: Jesus Christ did not carry a "telephone pole" through the narrow streets of Jerusalem.
John 19:17-18 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.
Page 26: If we follow him as our Exemplar, we too can endure sufferings and do what Jehovah asks of us. - Hebrews 12:1-3.
Note: True Christians suffer for the name of Jesus.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Page 26: So let us allow nothing to obscure our hope. Instead, let us personally take to heart what Jesus made possible, as did Paul, who said: "The Son of God ... loved me and handed himself over for me." (Galatians 2:20)
Note: Paul was focusing on Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Page 31: Do you desire to continue growing spiritually, to be useful to Jehovah's organization in whatever capacity he may consider appropriate? Then do as Timothy did.
Correction: Jesus Christ is not a Pennsylvania corporation
based in New York.
2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace
that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.